As tensions continue to rise between the United States and Iran, violence has ensued between the two nations. In retaliation to the Iranian people storming the U.S embassy, President Donald Trump ordered the assassination of high ranking Iranian General Quasem Solemani. The American strike sparked outrage in the region, with vast “Death to America” chants being heard  around the country as well as growing violence and protests against the United States.

It all started when the people of Iran stormed the U.S embassy, destroying a large part of the building by setting fire to multiple areas of the embassy, causing the U.S to increase security and  use tear gas to deter the protesters. The U.S. retaliated just days later by orchestrating an airstrike on the Baghdad airport, where Solemani was traveling, killing him and many more. 

The move has drawn a lot of criticism from Americans about whether it was the correct move or not. Senior Brennan O’Grady said, “I feel like it was a difficult call for the American government to make.[Iran] was planning on attacking American ambassadors, and this was a preemptive strike. I’m not yet sure if it was a good call.” Senior Terry Deegan agreed: “This might be controversial, but I do agree with the decision. From what I understand, General Solemani was planning possible future attacks against Americans. In that way, I think we were acting in the interest of our national security by protecting innocent lives.” Deegan also added, “I do not believe that we should have openly accepted responsibility for the killing. Doing so not only weakens our credibility abroad, but also the little stability the region does have.” 

The U.S Government–especially President Trump– has faced vast backlash all round the world since the move, specifically from its own citizens. Many people in the U.S. government believe Trump acted too quickly and put the U.S. into a situation it is not easily going to get out of. Senior Kara Vito stated, “I do not agree with it. I just think it was a risky move logistically. I think the focus should be on de-escalation, not fighting, especially when we have so many issues domestically right now.”

Not only has there been backlash in America, but, of course, there has  been backlash in Iran. The citizens of Iran have been protesting the American government by chanting “death to America” and burning the American flag. It was later clarified that though the Iranian people were chanting “death to America,” they were actually just referring to President Trump and Secretary of State Mike Pompeo.

Since the time of the attacks, however, the support of the Iranian people has begun to change. Many Iranians have begun to attack their own government due to how they handled the conflict. There has been mass backlash after Iran accidentally shot down a commercial airplane with Iranian citizens on it. They then proceeded to lie and say they did not do it, but videos and proof surfaced,  proving that the Iranian military was to blame. This rise in conflict appears to be far from over.